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United States Patent |
6,039,578
|
Suffi
,   et al.
|
March 21, 2000
|
Network interface device for line testing
Abstract
A network interface device (37, 37a) for use with a communication system.
The communication system includes a plurality of interconnect elements
(39) coupled to incoming and outgoing lines (41, 47). The network
interface device is selectively and individually coupled to selected ones
of said interconnect elements to test incoming lines of the communication
system. The network interface device includes a first connector (34) for
coupling a shared test device (53) thereto, or the shared test device
itself. A second connector (38) is coupled to the first connector, for
example, by a cable (36) and is used for selectively and individually
coupling to a selected one of the plurality of interconnect elements. The
network interface device is normally disconnected from the communication
circuit and is a passive element until it is connected to the interconnect
element. Use of the second connector will interrupt circuitry between
contacts (43, 45) in the selected interconnect element. A pair of binding
posts (57, 59) may be coupled to the first connector.
Inventors:
|
Suffi; Louis (Willow Springs, IL);
Ladd; Arnold M. (Des Plaines, IL)
|
Assignee:
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Reltec Corporation (Mayfield Heights, OH)
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Appl. No.:
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825144 |
Filed:
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March 25, 1997 |
Current U.S. Class: |
439/54; 379/19 |
Intern'l Class: |
H04M 001/24 |
Field of Search: |
439/49,54,912
379/19,24,27,29,327
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3535463 | Oct., 1970 | Trucco | 379/327.
|
4362905 | Dec., 1982 | Ismail | 439/638.
|
4415778 | Nov., 1983 | Turner.
| |
4620765 | Nov., 1986 | Knickerbocker | 439/344.
|
4651340 | Mar., 1987 | Marson | 379/327.
|
4748651 | May., 1988 | Collins et al.
| |
4796289 | Jan., 1989 | Masor | 379/26.
|
4809323 | Feb., 1989 | Collins et al.
| |
5092785 | Mar., 1992 | Chen | 379/29.
|
5297199 | Mar., 1994 | Graham et al.
| |
5359654 | Oct., 1994 | Jensen et al.
| |
5402465 | Mar., 1995 | Foltz.
| |
5630728 | May., 1997 | Watters, Jr. | 439/528.
|
Other References
"RETRONID" product sheets, RFP-8-17 and RFP-8-18, copyright 1996 RELTEC
Corporation.
"Features & Benefits, NID/RPT Series Multi-Pair Network Interface" product
sheets, Section 5--p. 51 and Section 5--p. 52, copyright Reliance Electic
Co. 1992.
"Features & Benefits, OBTNID Series Multi-Pair Network Interface" product
sheets, Section 5--p. 52.01 and Section 5--p. 52.02, copyright Reliance
Electric Co. 1992.
|
Primary Examiner: Abrams; Neil
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE
This patent application claims the benefit of domestic priority of
co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/015,398, filed Apr.
2, 1996.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An interface test assembly for use in a telephone communication network
including an incoming central office cable and outgoing customer telephone
lines comprising:
a housing;
the housing including at least one terminal block assembly having at least
one telephone line interconnect element for selectively interconnecting
the incoming central office cable to at least one of the outgoing customer
telephone lines;
a normally inactive receptacle element fixedly mounted in the housing and
coupled to a plug member;
the plug member is positioned adjacent the terminal block assembly in the
housing and is structured and dimensioned to be individually coupled to a
selected one of the telephone line interconnect elements of the terminal
block assembly to disconnect interconnection through the selected
telephone line interconnect element between the incoming central office
cable and an outgoing customer telephone line thereby isolating the
incoming central office cable from the selected outgoing customer line
while simultaneously causing the normally inactive receptacle element
coupled to the plug member to be activated enabling testing of the
incoming central office cable for default conditions by coupling a test
device to the receptacle element;
the receptacle element remaining inactive until the plug member is coupled
to at least one of the telephone line interconnect elements of the
terminal block assembly.
2. The interface test assembly of claim 1 including a test device coupled
to the receptacle member to test the incoming central office cable.
3. The interface test assembly of claim 2 wherein the test device is a
telephone.
4. The interface test assembly of claim 1 wherein the plug member has a
probe portion for disconnecting interconnection between the incoming
central office cable and the outgoing customer telephone line.
5. The interface test assembly of claim 4 wherein a conductive element is
positioned on a surface of the probe portion of the plug member so as to
couple the plug member to the incoming cable and to activate the normally
inactive receptacle element coupled to the plug member.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to network interface devices.
A variety of network interface devices are available which provide station
protection and subscriber line termination in a single enclosure. The
network interface device enclosures are installed at a customer premise in
accordance with FCC Regulations to provide a demarcation point for the
customer and also a test point for the customer.
Such network interface device enclosures are often divided into two
chambers with one chamber being accessible to the customer and both
chambers being accessible by the service provider. Incoming wires are fed
into a secure chamber only accessible by the service provider. The
incoming lines are connected to a terminal block assembly or other
terminal connection. Each set of wires is also connected to a standard
RJ11 jack. The service provider is responsible for the service lines up to
the RJ11 jacks and terminal block. The house wiring or service drops into
the specific facility are the property of the building owner or customer.
The customer has access to the network interface device enclosure and may
use a telephone or other device to check that service is provided up to
the RJ11 jack.
Often, the service provider includes protection devices to provide
protection on a line up to their point of responsibility. The protection
and portion of the connections up to the RJ11 jack is accessible only by
the service company with a female port of the RJ11 jack being accessible
to the customer for testing purposes. Alternatively, protection devices
may be provided in a separate compartment or enclosure accessible only by
the service provider. The terminal blocks provide interconnection and
cross-connection and may be provided in the same terminal blocks as the
network interface device or between adjacent terminal enclosures such as
one containing the protection devices and another containing the network
interface devices.
One problem with this type of configuration is that equipment can be quite
expensive and require considerable space. In some situations, protection
devices are not required and only the network interface devices are used.
Another problem with the currently available network interface devices is
that such devices use one RJ11 jack and the appropriate connection for
each set of wires. This configuration for the network interface device
requires substantial expense and considerable space for housing such RJ11
receptacle and connections. RJ11 jacks and connectors cost approximately
$4-$5 per unit and even in small groups, for example, approximately 10
RJ11 jacks, add a considerable cost to such equipment.
An additional consideration with prior art network interface devices is
that the RJ11 jacks are active devices coupled directly to the incoming
lines. As such, the RJ11 jacks are active devices. Such network interface
devices perform satisfactorily in an indoor setting but can become damaged
in outdoor settings. In the outdoor setting, RJ11 jacks are exposed to
detrimental environmental conditions, and as a result of being active
devices, tend to deteriorate at an accelerated rate. Corrosion, dust, dirt
and moisture tend to accumulate in the RJ11 jack. In an attempt to
overcome the environmental problems environmental protectors including,
caps, plugs and sealing substances have been provided to attempt to seal
the RJ11 female port. However, as a result of being an active device,
corrosion may be delayed by such protectors, but not prevented.
In an electrical sense, an RJ11 jack, being part of the circuit, may
introduce noise into the system. If a jack becomes damaged, it may produce
a break in the connection thereby requiring additional service calls and
service effort to investigate, and possibly repair or replace the RJ11
jack.
Further, the general requirements of the network interface devices are
dictated by the FCC and are required to be provided by service providers
for services coming into a premises. An example of such devices are RELTEC
Corporation, Reliable Electric Division's Sentinel.RTM. Network Interface
Device, the NID/RPT series Network Interface which provides access and
connection for up to 100 pair, and the OBTNID series multi-pair Network
Interface for up to 200 pair.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
An object of the present invention is to provide a network interface device
which can be selectively and individually coupled to one of a plurality of
interconnect elements for testing corresponding communication lines
connected to the interconnect element.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a network interface
device which is not active and remains passive until coupled to an
interconnect element.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a
communication assembly including a plurality of interconnect elements
which are connected to a corresponding plurality of incoming and outgoing
lines, and which includes a network interface device for selectively and
individually coupling to a selected interconnect element to test said
incoming line.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention
envisions a network interface device for use with a communication system.
The communication system includes a plurality of interconnect elements
coupled to incoming and outgoing lines. The network interface device is
selectively and individually coupled to selected ones of said interconnect
elements to test incoming lines of the communication system. The network
interface device includes a first connector for coupling a shared test
device thereto, or the shared test device itself. A second connector is
coupled to the first connector and is used for selectively and
individually coupling to a selected one of the plurality of interconnect
elements. The network interface device is normally disconnected from the
communication circuit and is a passive element until it is connected to
the interconnect element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The organization and manner of the structure and function of the invention,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by
reference to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like
elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a partial fragmentary, perspective view of a communication system
which houses a plurality of interconnect elements and network interface
devices in an enclosure and which enclosure receives and distributes
incoming and outgoing communication lines;
FIG. 2 is an alternate embodiment of the communication system as shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial fragmentary, perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the communication system of the present invention employing
network interface devices similar to those as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial fragmentary, perspective view of a plurality
of interconnect elements to which a second connector or plug of the
network interface device has been coupled;
FIG. 5 is a partial fragmentary, cross-sectional, side elevational view
taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4 showing the plug being positioned between
two connector elements to isolate incoming and outgoing line connections
of said interconnect element;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial fragmentary perspective view of a network
interface device of the present invention which includes a first
connector, and a second connector coupled to the first connector; and
FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the network interface device as shown
in FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION
The present invention is shown with further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2
provided herewith. FIG. 1 shows an enclosure 20 which receives an incoming
central office cable 21 from a service provider through an entry port 22.
The enclosure 20 includes a primary compartment 24 and a cover 26. The
wires forming the incoming cable 21 are connected to a series of terminal
blocks 28 which are positioned in and accessible from the primary
compartment 24. An example of such a terminal block 28 is the URLS
Terminal Block manufactured by assignee of the present invention, Reltec
Corporation. The enclosure 20 10 provides a mounting structure. It is
anticipated that the mounting structure may be provided in a variety of
forms, including but not limited to the enclosure, equipments racks, and
equipment cabinets.
A protection assembly 29 such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,502,
assigned to Reltec Corporation, including a protection compartment 30 is
shown in FIG. 1. The protection compartment 30 may be locked so that only
the service provider has access to the protection devices retained
therein. Apertures 32 are provided in the housing 33 to distribute
outgoing wires 35 to customers. These outgoing wires 35 are connected to
the terminal blocks 28. The incoming and outgoing lines 21, 35 are
attached to the enclosure or mounting structure 20 by extending through
the entry port 22 and apertures 32.
The enclosure 20 and the components broadly define a communication assembly
31. The assembly 31 does not require the protection assembly 29. At least
one interconnect element 39 is required for in the communication assembly
31 for interconnecting incoming and outgoing lines. A device connector or
network interface device 37 of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
1-3, 6 and 7. The network interface device or NID 37 is shown as including
a first connector 34 shown herein as a single RJ11 receptacle and a second
connector 38 shown herein as a plug. The second connector 38 is coupled to
the first connector 34 by a connecting cord 36. The first connector 34 is
an inactive element which normally is not connected to the circuit of the
communication system and remains a passive element until it is
individually and selectively connected to the interconnect element 39. As
shown more specifically in FIGS. 4 and 6, the second connector 38 is
individually coupled to a selected interconnect element 39 of which there
are a plurality comprising the terminal block 28.
While an interconnect element of a known construction is shown in the
figures, the interconnect element may be embodied in a variety of
configurations. For example, the interconnect element may also take the
form of binding posts to interconnect lines. As such, reference to and
definition of the interconnect should be given very broad interpretation.
In the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each network interface
device 37 is associated with a single terminal block 28. In this
configuration, each first connector 34 or RJ11 receptacle 34 can be
connected, individually and selectively with any one of the plurality of
interconnect elements 39 located on the terminal block 28. The RJ11
receptacle of the NID 37 is passive and only becomes active and part of
the communication circuit by connection of the plug 38 with the
corresponding interconnect element 39 on the terminal block 28. It should
be noted that the connecting cord 36 is sufficient length to reach any of
the interconnect elements 39 of the corresponding terminal block 28.
As mentioned hereinabove, the interconnect elements 39 are coupled to the
incoming lines 41 (see FIG. 5). As such, when the plug 38 is inserted
between corresponding connectors 43, 45 associated with the incoming and
outgoing lines 41, 47, the incoming and outgoing lines 41, 47 are isolated
from each other. In this regard, conductive elements 49 are provided on
one surface of a probe portion 51 of the plug 38 so as to couple the plug
38 and the first connector or RJ11 receptacle 34 to the incoming lines 41.
This connection couples the NID 37 to the incoming lines 41 and
disconnects the outgoing lines 47. In this manner, a test device, such as
a telephone 53 of known construction can be coupled to the NID 37 to test
the incoming line 41.
The RJ11 receptacle 34 is wired to the protection side of the circuit only
when the plug 38 is coupled to one of the line 41 via the corresponding
interconnect element 39 of the terminal block 28. Only when the plug 38 is
engaged with the terminal block 28 is a closed loop or circuit provided.
When the plug 38 is engaged with the terminal block 28, the outgoing line
47 or customer sides of the terminal block 28 is isolated from the circuit
and the RJ11 receptacle 34 is connected to the incoming line 41 or outside
plant. It is still not a completed circuit until a customer connects the
telephone 53, having an RJ11 jack 55, into the RJ11 receptacle 34. Once
the RJ11 plug 55 is engaged with the RJ11 receptacle 34, the outside plant
line 41 of the circuit is connected and may be checked for problems. It
should be noted that protection may still be provided on the line 41
thereby protecting the test device 53 connected thereto. The telephone or
test device 53 can then be used to dial on the incoming line 41 to
determine if there is a problem on this line 41. If the telephone 53
cannot get an outside line, this will indicate to the customer that there
is a problem on the incoming line and therefore the service provider must
investigate and repair any such problems on the incoming line 41. However,
if a connection is made using the telephone 53, this provides an
indication that the incoming line 41 is functional and that the problem
resides within the customer's premises somewhere on the outgoing line 47.
Removal of the plug 38 from the corresponding interconnect element 39
disconnects the RJ11 receptacle 34 from the terminal block 28. In this
condition the receptacle 34 is once again passive and non-functional. When
the plug 38 is disengaged from the interconnect element 39 the circuit is
returned to normal such that the connectors 43 and 45 make contact.
Protection is once again provided via the incoming line 41 to the outgoing
line 47.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the network
interface device 37 of the present invention provides many advantages over
the prior art. Additionally, it should be understood that the network
interface device 37 is not limited to the specific embodiment as shown
herein and it is instead intended that a wide variety of configurations of
the network interface device may be provided while still remaining within
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Primarily, the network
interface device is constructed so that one network interface device 37
can be used with a plurality of interconnect elements 39. This is an
advantage over the prior art such that one NID 37 can be used to service a
large number of interconnect elements 39. With the foregoing in mind,
reference is made to FIG. 3 where it is shown that one NID 37 can be used
to individually and selectively connect a test device 53 to fifty
different interconnect elements 39. As shown in FIG. 3, a second NID may
be provided. The provision of a second NID 37a permits multiple
simultaneous testing as well as a backup NID in the event that the first
NID becomes damaged or is otherwise inoperable.
The second NID 37a includes a binding post assembly 55 having a first 57
and a second 59 bind post extending from the mounting structure 20. As
shown in FIG. 3, the binding post assembly 55 is coupled to the receptacle
34. In an alternate embodiment, the plug or second connector 38 is
directly coupled to the bind post assembly 55 using the cord 36. The
binding post assembly 55 is useful to allow a tradesman to use a standard
telephone test handset of known construction to test the line. The
standard hand sets have alligator clips and as such connect easily to the
binding posts 57 and 59.
Additionally, it is anticipated that many other types of test devices may
be employed within the present invention. In general, different testing
devices could be used such that they share the NID which is an inactive
test point until selectively and individually connected to a selected
individual interconnect element 39. Additionally, the selectively
disconnectable inactive design of the NID 37 of the present invention
enhances line transmissions such that there is one less element which is
constantly and actively connected to the line. In this regard, prior art
NIDs are constantly and actively connected to individual corresponding
lines. As such, if there is any damage to or degrading of the prior art
NID such as by corrosion, moisture or other particulate matter, the
transmission line may be correspondingly degraded.
As a further example of a different type of test device which may be
employed with the NID 37 of the present invention is the use of a
maintenance termination unit or "MTU". The MTU can be provided as a
packaged device attached to the frame or mounting structure such as an
enclosure as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The MTU is another form of test device
53. One MTU is all that is necessary to be provided with a plurality of
interconnect elements 39 to provide testing of these interconnect
elements. The MTU includes a plug 38 which is connected to the
interconnect element 39 as shown in FIG. 4 to isolate the outgoing line 47
from the incoming line 41. The subscribers can then contact the telephone
company to try and activate the MTU using the incoming line 41. If the
telephone company is unsuccessful in operating the MTU, this provides
information to the telephone company that it is the incoming line 41 that
may have the problem. This application of an MTU is advantageous because
it makes the MTU an inactive element while not in use instead of an active
element. It should be noted that MTUs are widely used throughout the
telephone industry. However, they are constantly and specifically
connected to individual communication lines and are not designed for
selective and individual use. Additionally, an MTU unit, being a separate
electronic device, is substantially more expensive than an RJ11 jack as
employed in the simplest form of the present invention. Additionally,
substantial cost savings can be achieved by providing only one MTU for a
multiplicity of lines as compared to the current use of individual MTUs
for individual lines.
An additional advantage of the present invention is that it may be used to
retrofit existing systems which do not have network interface devices.
Under current federal standards, all telephone systems should include
network interface devices to provide customers with a demarcation point
whereby they can test the incoming line. Provision of this demarcation
point eliminates the need for a tradesman to investigate every potential
line problem thereby saving the telephone company money especially if the
line problem resides in the customer's premises. In older systems which do
not include the network interface device, the present invention, which is
a passive element, may be attached in any one of many forms to a
communication assembly. For example, the NID 37 may be glued, mechanically
fastened, tethered or otherwise attached to the enclosure. This simplicity
of attachment is achieved since no electrical connections are required
between the NID and the communications assembly. Electrical connections
are achieved by engaging the plug 38 with a selected, individual
interconnect element 39. The test device 53 is coupled to the receptacle
34 thereby completing the circuit from the incoming line 41 to the
telephone 53.
It will be also appreciated that the first connector 34 and the second
connector 38 can be presented in a variety of connector forms and are not
limited to the female RJ11 receptacle 34 and male probe type plug 38 as
specifically shown in FIG. 6. Rather, it is anticipated that the present
invention may include first and second connectors 34, 38 which includes
standardized male or female connectors, proprietary male and female
connectors, connectors which may be attached to binding posts, threadedly
attached to corresponding connectors and any other type of connector
device which might be used for such communication assembly to provide
interconnection between the incoming line 41 and a test device 53 in a
manner which provides an inactive NID 37 which can be selectively and
individually used with a plurality of interconnect elements 39.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the NID 37 of the present invention may
be used in a configuration which includes a single interconnect element 39
for receiving a single pair of incoming lines 41 and connecting to a
single pair of outgoing lines 47. Such a configuration may be employed in
a residential setting whereby an incoming line 41 is brought from the
street or curb side to a residence and connected to an incoming line 47
installed within the residence. The NID would be provided in conjunction
with this single interconnection element 39 to allow the customer to
selectively connect the NID to the interconnect element 39. This
application of the NID 37, as an inactive element unless specifically and
selectively connected, removes a component from the communication line
which provides the benefits as described hereinabove. Further, the NID 37
may be removed from the interconnect element 39 and from the mounting
structure thereby preventing unauthorized access to the incoming line 41
in the event that the interconnect element 39 is positioned outside of the
residence.
It should be understood that the above description equally applies to
network interface devices 37 which are not equipped with protection. In
this situation, only the terminal blocks 28 and the RJ11 receptacle 34 are
used. The terminal block 28 is wired to the outside plant or central
office and the terminating end of the block is designated for and
accessible by the customer. The RJ11 receptacle 34 is used in the same way
as described above with the only exception that the RJ11 receptacle 34 is
internally wired directly to the terminal blocks ahead of the disconnect
or isolation points of the block 28.
The device as shown in FIG. 2 shows the assembly having two doors 44,46
which enclose the primary compartment 24 and the terminal blocks 28 and
RJ11 receptacles 34 retained therein. The device shown in FIG.2 does not
include protection but a protection module may be inserted into the cavity
48 provided therein. Additionally, the use of independent doors 44,46 will
allow the protection to be accessible only to the service provider with
the terminal blocks 28 and RJ11 receptacles 34 being accessible to the
customer and service provider.
The NID 37 of the present invention provides many advantages over the prior
art NIDs. The NID 37 of the present invention provides an inactive,
selectively and individually connectable element which can be provided as
a single NID 37 for use with a plurality of interconnect elements 39. The
reduction in the number of NIDs reduces the cost and increases the
reliability of the communication system. The reliability is increased by
disconnecting the NID from the active circuit thereby preventing and
reducing the development of corrosion within connectors of the NID.
Further, if a NID needs to be replaced, it can be done so quickly and
easily with little expense. The use of the second connector 38 coupled by
the connecting cord 36 to the first connector 34 and the interconnect
element 39 allows a single connector 34 to be used selectively and
individually with a plurality of interconnect elements on a terminal block
28.
By removing the NID 37 from the circuit, noise on the circuit is reduced.
When a connector becomes damaged or needs to be replaced, it can be done
so without affecting the service because it does not require disconnection
from the circuit. Furthermore, only one NID 37 will need to be replaced at
a given time for a corresponding system. Further, while the interconnect
elements 39 of the terminal blocks 28 are designed to resist rather severe
environmental conditions, the connectors 34, 38 such as the RJ11
receptacle 34 and plug 38 are not designed to such a degree of
reliability. As such, it is expected that such receptacles will need to be
replaced over time or such connectors can be equipped with the necessary
protective features of known construction.
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and
described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise
various modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The
invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing disclosure.
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